Rogue ticket sellers have become an issue for many music fans - Radar looked at some of the problems they cause and how they can be dealt with.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport is to make amendments to the Digital Economy Bill, making it illegal for the use of automated bots to bulk buy concert tickets and sell for inflated prices. This has often resulted in people not being able to buy tickets to see their favourite artists. Sites such as Viagogo and GetMeIn are well known for selling tickets for extortionate prices, for artists including Adele and plays such as the Cursed Child.
Ministers have also said that there is a necessity for stronger enforcement on Consumer Rights Laws. This is due to concern that many of these tickets sold are sold without details of seating or the seller’s name. This will be investigated in relation to the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
According to the BBC, an £85 ticket to see Adele at the 02 in London last year was reportedly being sold for £24,840. During the crackdown on rogue ticket sellers, precaution must be taken to differentiate between fans selling tickets and rogue sellers.
This type of online behaviour has been opposed by many artists, politicians and the public. It means that fans lose often out on concerts. You Me at Six singer, Josh Francheschi, said that fans were the “main losers”.
With many students being avid concert and music fans, these prices will inevitably affect students at RGU. However, it also affects sports’ tickets.
Journalism student, Lukas Rogalla said: “I’ve seen football or rugby tickets on sale with ten times the original price. The original vendors should take action against that and ban those who obviously sell solely for profit.”
With public pressure along with artist support, many hope that over the next year there will be a crackdown on rogue sellers and their high prices. This will ensure that people can see their favourite artists for a more affordable price.